25 USC 2809 – Reports to tribes
(a) Coordination and data collection
(1) Investigative coordination
Subject to subsection (c), if a law enforcement officer or employee of any Federal department or agency terminates an investigation of an alleged violation of Federal criminal law in Indian country without referral for prosecution, the officer or employee shall coordinate with the appropriate tribal law enforcement officials regarding the status of the investigation and the use of evidence relevant to the case in a tribal court with authority over the crime alleged.
(2) Investigation data
The Federal Bureau of Investigation shall compile, on an annual basis and by Field Division, information regarding decisions not to refer to an appropriate prosecuting authority cases in which investigations had been opened into an alleged crime in Indian country, including—
(A) the types of crimes alleged;
(B) the statuses of the accused as Indians or non-Indians;
(C) the statuses of the victims as Indians or non-Indians; and
(D) the reasons for deciding against referring the investigation for prosecution.
(3) Prosecutorial coordination
Subject to subsection (c), if a United States Attorney declines to prosecute, or acts to terminate prosecution of, an alleged violation of Federal criminal law in Indian country, the United States Attorney shall coordinate with the appropriate tribal justice officials regarding the status of the investigation and the use of evidence relevant to the case in a tribal court with authority over the crime alleged.
(4) Prosecution data
The United States Attorney shall submit to the Native American Issues Coordinator to compile, on an annual basis and by Federal judicial district, information regarding all declinations of alleged violations of Federal criminal law that occurred in Indian country that were referred for prosecution by law enforcement agencies, including—
(A) the types of crimes alleged;
(B) the statuses of the accused as Indians or non-Indians;
(C) the statuses of the victims as Indians or non-Indians; and
(D) the reasons for deciding to decline or terminate the prosecutions.
(b) Annual reports
The Attorney General shall submit to Congress annual reports containing, with respect to the applicable calendar year, the information compiled under paragraphs (2) and (4) of subsection (a)—
(1) organized—
(A) in the aggregate; and
(B)(i) for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, by Field Division; and
(ii) for United States Attorneys, by Federal judicial district; and
(2) including any relevant explanatory statements.
(c) Effect of section
(1) In general
Nothing in this section requires any Federal agency or official to transfer or disclose any confidential, privileged, or statutorily protected communication, information, or source to an official of any Indian tribe.
(2) Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
Nothing in this section affects or limits the requirements of Rule 6 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
(3) Regulations
The Attorney General shall establish, by regulation, standards for the protection of the confidential or privileged communications, information, and sources described in this section.
Terms Used In 25 USC 2809
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- officer: includes any person authorized by law to perform the duties of the office. See 1 USC 1
- Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.